Mary Ann Gongwer

Mary Ann Gongwer, 79, of Warren, Indiana, died Thursday evening, March 9, 2006, at the United Methodist Memorial Home after a long illness.   She was born May 21, 1926, in Pontiac, Illinois, to Frank and Ola (Hakes) Davis.  On September 2, 1952, in Pontiac, Illinois, she married Carl E. Gongwer.  He survives.   Mrs. Gongwer had lived in Elkhart County from 1988 to 1997, coming from Upland, Indiana.  She had worked as an Activities Assistant at both the University Nursing Home in Upland and Valley View Nursing Home in Elkhart.   She was a member of the Free Methodist Church, Bloomington.  She helped with Christian Education of children while doing Mission Outreach with her husband and taught migrant children.   She is survived by her husband, Carl; two daughters, Carlene J. (Shane) Fortin of Lemon Grove, California and Melody Ann Gongwer of Bloomington, Indiana; a son John Gongwer of Alexandria, Virginia; a grandchild; a sister, Dorothy Byrne of White Water, Wisconsin; and a brother, Harold Davis of Odell, Illinois.   She was preceded in death by a son, Terry Lee Gongwer and a sister Mildred Braden.   Friends may call 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday and 9 to 10 a.m., Monday, March 12 and 13, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.   Rev. Jim Smith of the Bethel Missionary Church will officiate the 10:00 a.m. service on Monday, March 13, 2006, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.   Burial will be in Olive Cemetery (East), Wakarusa.   Memorial contributions may be designated to the World Gospel Mission in Marion, Indiana.